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Community steps up to help Ukrainian family living in Bradford after fleeing war

Bogdan Lukashuk tried for more than two years years to get his wife and two kids in Ukraine to come live with him in Canada. Last month they finally arrived, but not under ideal circumstances
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Bogdan with wife Svitlana, and their two boys Illya and Andriy

Community members are collecting donations of clothing and furniture to help support a young family who recently fled Ukraine due to the ongoing war with Russia. 

Bogdan Lukashuk moved to Bradford from Cherkasy, Ukraine in 2019, with hopes of bringing over his wife Svitlana and their two young boys, Illya and Andriy. While working as an electrician and waiting for their Visas to get approved, he stayed with close friends in town who had moved to Bradford from Ukraine in 2017. 

But then COVID hit, with borders closed indefinitely, derailing the family's dreams of starting a new life together in Canada and not knowing when they would be able to see each other again. 

"This COVID, quarantine and restrictions (held them back)," said Bogdan. 

Bogdan continued to work as an electrician while living with close friends in town before eventually moving to his own basement apartment near 8th Line. Every day he would call his family in Ukraine, watching his boys grow up through a screen, dreaming of the day he'd be able to hug them again. 

As COVID restrictions began to ease, the family was hopeful their immigration papers would be processed in a quicker fashion. Little did they know they would be seeing each other very soon, but not under ideal circumstances. 

When Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Svitlana called Bogdan in a panic.

"Svitlana called me and said 'There's a ruckus, there is a bomb, there is war,'" recalled Bogdan on that terrifying day, worrying for his family's safety. 

Svitlanta and the boys put all they could into backpacks, leaving behind everything else, including their pet cat, and fled to Poland where they were able to stay with friends for a few weeks until arriving in Canada as refugees and reuniting with Bogdan. 

"We stayed for a few weeks (in Ukraine) and then our mom told us we can go to Canada, and the next day we went," explained 11-year-old Illya. 

"It was tiring, uncomfortable," Illya said of the journey but is happy to be in his new home in Bradford. 

"It was so nice (to see them), so sweet," said Bogdan when he was finally able to pick them up at the airport last month. 

Illya and seven-year-old Andriy recently started school and they say the community has really made them feel welcome. 

"I like it here," said Illya. 

Bogdan says he likes Bradford and its small-town feel which reminds him of their hometown of Cherkasy, 200km from Kyiv, where Bogdan's parents are still living. 

He says his parents still go to work every day, as a way to distract themselves from the war. 

"It helps them in this situation to keep working," he said. 

Over the weekend, the family moved into a larger space around the corner from Bogdan's apartment and are looking forward to starting their new life together in Bradford.

They are thankful for the overwhelming support received so far. 

"People are so nice, everyone is trying to help us," said a humbled Bogdan. 

Friend Mark Burchell has been instrumental in helping the family get settled in, organizing donations of clothing and furniture from generous community members.

Items needed in particular include kitchenware like pots and pans, plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery; bicycles and toys for the boys, as well as spring clothes and shoes (size 3.5 and 7.5).  Gift cards are also appreciated. 

Anyone looking to donate can coordinate with Burchell via email at [email protected]


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Natasha Philpott

About the Author: Natasha Philpott

Natasha is the Editor for BradfordToday and InnisfilToday. She graduated from the Media Studies program at The University of Guelph-Humber. She lives in Bradford with her husband, two boys and two cats.
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